Special to the Times Vedette
The Guthrie County Barracuda swimmers rode the wave to another successful season. The Barracudas had 105 swimmers this past season ranging in age from 5 to 19.
“I am so proud of each and every swimmer on this team,” Head Coach Dana Stein stated. “The Barracudas went undefeated through the regular season and won the Iowa Western Swim Regular Season and Conference Championship Meet for the second year in a row and three out of the last four years.”
Stein said that this is a competitive conference, and the Guthrie County swimmers stepped up through hard work and dedication to the team and the process.
“It took the entire team to remain undefeated,” Stein said. “Noone was selfish, as they swam as a team and not as individuals. Many of our swimmers not only swim but also participate in other activities as well such as baseball, softball, dance, running club, basketball camp, wresting camps, weights, etc.”
Stein tells each athlete that swimming will help them stay in shape for other sports including football, cross country and volleyball during their offseason.
Two records were broken during the season: 13-14 Girls 50-yard Butterfly by Meranda Gruber and 9-10 Boys 25-yard butterfly by Grahm Clark.
Stein said this senior group is special to him because it was his first 8 and under group that he coached more than a decade ago.
“There have been so many memories with this group ,and they have been great leaders over the years,” he said.
This year’s seniors are Easton Stringham, Nate Chance, Natalie Kent and Macy Schreck.
Coach Stein said his assistant coaches are excellent and have helped develop the swimmers through each practice and each meet.
“Kristi Chance, Tricia Schreck and Natalie Kent with Mackenzie Campbell are a great team of coaches,” he said. “Each brings something unique to the table that works to help the individuals and team to reach their goals.
Through the years, many great athletes have swum across the Guthrie Center pool, and some of them showed off their talents during the July 6 Alumni Meet. A total of 26 swimmers showed off their abilities in front of a packed house of other former swimmers and coaches. Swimmers ranged from the class of 1973 to the class of 2024.
The swim team began in the early 1960s and has had a strong tradition that grows each year.
Regular season results:
- Guthrie County 382, Perry 247
- Guthrie County 428, Manning 174
- Guthrie County 486, Coon Rapids 122
- Guthrie County 368, Greene County 266
- Guthrie County 511, Lake City 76
- Guthrie County 361, Carroll 267
- Guthrie County 299, Denison 258
- Guthrie County 504, Glidden 82
- Guthrie County 351, Sac County 257
Conference championship finals standings:
- Guthrie County, 721
- Carroll, 499
- Perry, 498
- Denison, 488
- Greene County, 462
- Sac City, 366
- Manning, 241
- Coon Rapids, 112
- Lake City, 64
- Glidden, 62
Conference Meet in Sac City, July 13.
All-Around All-Stars. Meranda Gruber, Luke Herron and Cordell Wolfe. These swimmers obtained 80% of the total points amongst all races in their age group. There are a total of 225 points possible, and the All-Around Star swimmer obtained 180 points (or more).
Individual All-Stars:
Luke Herron: 25 Back, 25 Fly, 25 Free, 50 Free
Meranda Gruber: 50 Fly, 50 Free, 100 IM
Isabella Stein: 100 Free, 50 Free
Lyla Martinson: 25 Breast
Cordell Wolfe: 100 IM, 50 Free
Collin Stringham: 50 Breast
Sophia Stein: 25 Fly
Coaches Dana Stein, Natalie Kent, Kristi Chance and Tricia Schreck
Conference Meet in Sac City, July 13
End of Season Pool party and Potluck
Individual All-Stars
Meranda Gruber, Luke Herron and Cordell Wolfe
Mustard Challenge